Are You Buffeted? Try Patience

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE BUFFETED? PATIENCE?

WE ARE PENCILS IN THE HANDS OF GOD.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

TEXT:

1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it PATIENTLY?

But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, YE TAKE IT PATIENTLY, THIS IS ACCEPTABLE WITH GOD.

Hebrews 10:36 FOR YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE, THAT, AFTER YE HAVE DONE

THE WILL OF GOD, YE MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE.

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle to all men, apt to

teach, PATIENT.

THERE IS A BIG BATTLE...

WE ARE EITHER

1. Investing Patience

2. OR FACE THE BATTLE OF BURNED OUT AND BURNED UP!

HOW POOR ARE THOSE THAT HAVE LITTLE TO NO PATIENCE?

COMPARISON CAN HURT US?

I had the honor and privilege of pastoring a little missions work in the mountains of eastern

Kentucky for 8 1/2 years, 1350 sermons. I touched many lives in my tenure there, but my

ecclesiatical trophy case grows nothing but dust. My name is unknown, and my hand’s reach

is very small. It is my intention to BE FAITHFUL until my call home.

I recall a very handsome and smart pastor coming to pastor about the same time I moved there

in 1981. In 3 months, the Freewill Baptist Church he pastored doubled. We had a very close

fellowship and often prayed together over common needs. I often lusted after his looks, wisdom,

and the growth that came to "his church" under his leadership.

In two years the church doubled again.

One night I was awake and heavy burdened for him. I prayed until morning for him. I called him and

asked him to meet me for lunch at the hospital. We sat in the far corner and ate.

I told him of the strange, heavy burden I carried for him. He started crying. I started crying.

He shared with me... His deacons never shared THEIR load of visitation, their office appeared to

be titular, in title only. The Sunday School teachers were always late or never showed up for

classes, and never called. He could not get his leadership to come to prayer.

The young people were not as serious as he thought they should be. He never had any family time.

He could not please the people. Some thought the music was too loud and too fast,

others thought he preached too long. Some said it was too hot? too cold?

His wife bought a new dress and some discussed that in a negative way.

He was getting paid too much for him to buy his wife a new dress.

My great successful brother was like

POPEYE, HE HAD ALL HE COULD STANDS AND COULD NOT STANDS NO MORE.

I said, "IT APPEARS YOU ARE ABOUT BURNED OUT!!"

He replied, I AM NOT ABOUT BURNED OUT, I AM BURNED UP..... !!!

Here with all his success and salary, he threw up his hands in disgust. I tried to reach him.

We had a prayer and left. In two weeks, I read in the news paper he had resigned and he was

leaving the area.

My dear, successful friend was discouraged and could not see what God had accomplished.

I later found, ... he left pastoring and was driving a long distance truck making 3 times the salary and

no stress. Later, I heard he and his wife were separated. Then later divorce and remarriage.

He saw his kids on holidays. He never attended church.

I often ponder my friend. One day, I was in Lexington, KY. I saw my friend pull in.

He was now the owner /operator of several big rigs and driving for himself. He was the

picture of successful, handsome, wise man.

I pondered my success has always been limited, I am not smart or good-looking.

Why did he quit? He came to my table, ... now several years had passed.

Our children were teenagers and we had gray hair.

I wanted so bad to ask him, was it so bad you had to quit the ministry, as pastor, but I

did not ask.

Before we left the table, he cried and so did I. He said, "Remember that day we ate lunch at the

hospital and you was broken for me? That day in my bitterness and disappointment I left the

hospital, the Holy Spirit tried to soften my heart, but I refused.

LIFE HAS A TENDANCY OF GROWING BITTERNESS AND BURN OUT.

He said: I forgot to study and pray, I forgot God in God’s work.

I was not patience with my family, the church or God.

I WAS LIVING ON EMPTY.

I would give anything to go back to that church and have another chance.